Salted Maple Cold Brew
That daily coffee shop habit can hit your wallet hard. I get it. You want something delicious to start your day, but you don’t want to pay five bucks for a cup of coffee.
What if I told you that you could make a coffee shop-level drink at home in just a few minutes?
This Salted Maple Cold Brew is the answer. It’s simple, it’s so good, and it will save you a ton of money. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll wonder why you ever waited in those long lines.
The Easiest Salted Maple Cold Brew
This recipe is all about simple, good ingredients. You don’t need a fancy machine or weird syrups. Just a few things you might already have in your kitchen.
The magic is in the salted maple syrup. The salt doesn’t make it salty; it just makes the maple flavor pop and cuts the sweetness. It’s a game-changer.
What You’ll Need
- Cold Brew Coffee: You can buy it pre-made or make your own. A good strong concentrate is best.
- Pure Maple Syrup: Please use the real stuff. Pancake syrup won’t taste the same.
- Coarse Salt: Sea salt or kosher salt works great.
- Milk or Cream: Whatever you like. Whole milk, half-and-half, or even heavy cream.
- Ice: Lots of it.
Tools of the Trade
You don’t need much to put this together.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Small Saucepan | For the syrup |
| Whisk or Spoon | To mix it all up |
| Measuring Cups | For accuracy |
| Tall Glass | For serving |
How to Make It Step-by-Step
This is so easy, you can do it half-asleep before you’ve had your coffee. Which is kind of the point, right?
Step 1: Make the Salted Maple Syrup
First, grab your small saucepan. Pour in 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup and 1/4 cup of water.
Add a pinch of coarse salt. A little goes a long way.
Heat it on the stove over medium heat. Just stir until the salt dissolves completely. This only takes a minute or two. Don’t let it boil.
Step 2: Cool it Down
Take the syrup off the heat and let it cool down. You can stick it in the fridge to speed this up.
Cooling it is important. You don’t want to pour hot syrup into your cold coffee and melt all the ice.
Step 3: Assemble Your Drink
Fill a tall glass with ice, all the way to the top.
Pour in about 1 cup of cold brew coffee.
Step 4: Add the Good Stuff
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of your cooled salted maple syrup. Start with one, stir, and taste. You can always add more.
Top it off with a splash of your favorite milk or cream. Give it one last gentle stir and enjoy.
Pro Tips From My Kitchen
I’ve made this drink a hundred times. Here are a few things I’ve learned that make it perfect every time.
- Make a Syrup Batch: Double or triple the syrup recipe. Keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge. It will last for weeks and makes your morning coffee super fast.
- Use Good Cold Brew: The coffee is the star. If you use cheap, weak cold brew, your drink will taste watery. It’s worth it to use a brand you love or make a strong batch at home.
- Salt Matters: Use coarse salt. Table salt is too fine and can make the drink taste oddly salty instead of enhancing the maple.
Substitutions and Fun Variations
Don’t have something on hand? Or just want to mix it up? No problem.
| Ingredient | Swap With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maple Syrup | Honey or Agave | Same amounts |
| Dairy Milk | Oat or Almond Milk | Great for vegans |
| Coarse Salt | Flaky Sea Salt | Fancy finish |
Spice it Up
Want to try something different?
- Add Vanilla: A tiny splash of vanilla extract in the syrup adds a nice warmth.
- Cinnamon Stick: Let a cinnamon stick hang out in your syrup while it cools.
- Boozy Kick: For an evening treat, add a little splash of bourbon or dark rum.
Leftovers and Storage
If you make extra syrup, just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. A small mason jar works perfectly. It should stay good for at least two weeks.
I wouldn’t recommend mixing the whole drink and then storing it. It gets watery. Just keep the syrup ready and assemble your drink fresh each time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use hot coffee for this?
Ans: You could, but it would be a salted maple latte, not a cold brew. Just warm up your milk and add the syrup and coffee to a mug. It’s also delicious!
Q2. My syrup looks cloudy. Is that okay?
Ans: Yes, that’s totally normal. Sometimes it can look a little cloudy after it cools, especially in the fridge. Just give it a good shake before you use it.
Q3. How do I make my own cold brew?
Ans: It’s easy! Just mix 1 part coarse ground coffee with 4 parts cold water in a jar. Let it sit on your counter for 12 to 18 hours, then strain it through a coffee filter. That’s it!
Q4. Is this recipe very sweet?
Ans: You control the sweetness. That’s the beauty of making it at home. Start with just one tablespoon of syrup and add more if you need it.
Wrapping Up
See? A coffee shop-quality drink with no lines and no crazy prices. It’s amazing what a little maple syrup and a pinch of salt can do.
Now it’s your turn. Go give this a try and let me know how it goes.
Drop a comment below if you make it or if you have any questions. I love hearing about your kitchen wins. Enjoy your coffee
